Tuesday, March 31, 2015, 5:07 p.m.

Boozman returns home after heart surgery

U.S. Sen. John Boozman has left a Northwest Arkansas hospital after undergoing emergency heart surgery, his office said Monday.

Boozman left Mercy Hospital in Rogers on Sunday night "and is under doctor's orders to rest as he regains his strength," aides said in a statement.

The 63-year-old Rogers Republican was taken to the hospital Tuesday morning after feeling arm and chest pains, and he underwent surgery to repair a tear in his aorta.

The senator added that he is keeping tabs on tornado-recovery efforts in central Arkansas.

"I’m receiving regular updates from my staff about the current search and rescue effort," he said in the statement. "I will work with the governor’s office, the congressional delegation and FEMA Administrator Fugate to make sure that Arkansans get the resources they need to respond, rebuild and recover. We will help in any way we can.”